Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (BGT Discussion Thread)

Thank you all for the such kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed my photos

Here's my full report from BGT last weekend.

As I arrived at the park, I rushed for Cobra's Curse--It was thankfully open. Though I was apprehensive about waiting in 30-60 min lines all day after spending some time at the Fun Spot parks. So, I rushed back to the front of the park to get a Quick Queue--only to balk at the prices and head back to a 50 min wait for Cobra's Curse. While a fun concept, the backwards/spinning sections weren't fleshed out enough. I'll wait to ride it again when the line gets to an average of 20 minutes. 6/10

Then I took a ride on my favorite B&M invert: Montu. Back seat, entrance seat. Sweet mother of donkey, I love that ride. 9/10

After the B&M invert high, I waited an hour for Cheetah Hunt in the back seat, first dispatch. Being a single rider, I got paired with a third wheel of another group, and couldn't stop laughing at how much she was screaming. Still a big fan of the ride. 8/10

After a meh lunch watching Cobra's Curse getting stuck, I made for Pantopia and the awesomeness that is Falcon's Fury. I love being a single rider. Got on in 10 min when the board said 35. Coming from someone who has 2 years operating an S&S tower, FF is the best Drop Tower. 9/10

Then it was time for Kumba to redeem itself. My previous ride on Kumba was underwhelming. But this ride (back row, exit seat) was a lot better. Original ride: 5/10 This Ride: 8/10

Then it came time to dive on Sheikra. I got line-jumped by about 10 people . But I sat back row, far entrance. On my previous rides,I didn't experience this, but the ride put some weird forces on my left leg. Still a fun ride, though. 7/10

Spent some time walking around the food and wine area, acquiring a beer before getting another couple rides on Montu (

But enough of my babbling, onto the pictures!

Montu sighting on the way in!

Kumba threading the needle

In the immortal words of Robb Alvey, "LOOP DE LOOOOOP!"

And now, since Kumba translates to "Roar," I present a Kumba-themed parody of Katy Perry's "Roar"

I got the eye of Busch Gardens! A Coaster!

This Ride is Awesome!

Racing through the Congo!

And you're gonna hear it Kumba-a-a-a-a-a-a-a!

Kumba-a-a-a-a-a-a-a!

Yeah, it wasn't the best parody.

Hey look, a picture that absolutely no one has!

The biggest perk of a small camera: fitting the lens in between the holes in the protective netting.

Sheikra

-Don't tell me, we're about to go over a huge waterfall.

-Yep.

-Sharp rocks at the bottom?

-Most likely.

-Bring it on.

Geronimo!

DIVE, DIVE DIVE!

Oooh, a rainbow. How shiny!

Splashdown in 3...2...1...

HOLY FOTHERMUCKING DONKEYSH!T A WATERBENDING WEEPING ANGEL!

Busch Gardens topiaries: sponsored by Disney's Moana.

Release the Kraken!

What's the matter? Looks like you've seen a ghost.

Why hasn't this tree-thingy become more popular?

For those of you who that enjoy this sort of thing: Underneath Cheetah Hunt launch track.

I tawt I taw a putty tat!

I did! I did tee a putty tat!

Montu Sunset

Cheetah Hunt Sunset

Really wish I waited for a train here.

At the top, ready to drop.

Look out below!

Coming in for a landing.

Scorpion Sunset

An awesome way to end the day.

Great photos! Thanks for sharing.

I want a bacon pretzel *mope*

Forgive my naivety on the subject of maintenance, but how are they able to keep Kumba and Montu running so well? Shouldn't they be nearing the end of their track lives?

Forgive my naivety on the subject of maintenance, but how are they able to keep Kumba and Montu running so well? Shouldn't they be nearing the end of their track lives?

Don't believe everything you read about maintenance from the Universal Orlando thread--especially when it comes to B&Ms. If I remember correctly, when Alton Towers opened Nemesis, the park was worried about whether or not the train would be able to complete the circuit. And either Walter or Claude was on site and laughed in the park's face, and then a successful test cycle was run.

There are B & M coasters much older still going strong. Unlike some steel coasters B &M coasters have a long shelf life. Aside from Hulk I see most these rides going on for many years to come. If the existing Arrow coasters can continue this long then Beemers can go as long if not longer. They're just better built rides.

the end of their track lives?

There's really no evidence that this is even a thing. Every B&M coaster ever built is still operating. Yes, Universal replaced all of Hulk's track but there's also a rumor (and I don't follow this closely enough to know if this is anything more than a rumor) that the track was already manufactured for a park overseas that never came to fruition so it just made sense for them to replace it.

Also, it's very common for BGT to take their B&M coasters down for a few weeks every year or so for standard maintenance... something that Universal never really did with Hulk. In all seriousness though, it seems ridiculous to talk about the life span of a B&M when every B&M ever built is still in operation.

There's really no evidence that this is even a thing. Every B&M coaster ever built is still operating.

This is nitpicking for sure, but RCDB currently lists Kuwait Entertainment City's Lightning (batman clone) as SBNO since last June.

I have no idea what its story or situation is, just regurgitating RCDB trivia.

But it does still at least exist, and your general point about B&M durability and longevity still very much stands.

^Supposedly the park closed for renovations and has not yet reopened.

I'm hearing that Sand Serpent will be enclosed by sometime in 2018, possibly with a 3d/dark ride theming as well. I hear its supposed to re-open sometime this summer before being closed again to start the enclosure process.

Reasoning for this change is supposovedly that BGT is realizing that they don't have any rides (besides bumper cars) that you can ride during bad weather so that is supposed to be something that they are trying to do more of in the coming years. Sand serpent closed for any rain whereas the other coaster only closed for lightning, (as well as a small footprint) so they get the most additional up time per dollar by hosing to enclose sand serpant

The last day to see Iceploration is this Sunday, April 23rd.

The last day to see Iceploration is this Sunday, April 23rd.

Good freaking riddance.

The last day to see Iceploration is this Sunday, April 23rd.

Good choreography/spectacle, absolute sh!t story/dialogue.

Hopefully it's replaced with a good script.

What a great park this is. We had a blast!

[youtu_be]

Great video as always!

Thanks for bringing back memories of my last visit to BGT in December 2016. This was just what i needed this Sunday morning. Glad to hear you guys had a great time. Your videos are only getting better and better with each release so great job!

Awesome vid!

Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback!

It has been four years since my last visit, does anyone know what the beer selection at the park is looking like these days?

Great news! Apparently Sand Serpent reopened last Friday after over 4 months of downtime.

Great news! Apparently Sand Serpent reopened last Friday after over 4 months of downtime.

Great news! Apparently Sand Serpent reopened last Friday after over 4 months of downtime.

I can confirm this after a visit this past Sunday. It's just terrific.....crushing your friend as you go around every turn.

If that's the case, Screamscape is really behind on being in the know...

BGT on Screamscape

(5/16/17) According to a park guests, the reported seeing crews testing the park's Sand Serpent coaster last week, which means that it could reopen in the near future after sitting closed since the start of the year for an unknown issue.

I actually like Sand Serpent. It was my first Wild Mouse coaster when it was still at BGW, so it has some nostalgia....some...lol

So this is random, but just out of curiosity, what did BGT do with the area Python was on? I was only at the park once and that was in 2003, so I never noticed anything in regards to that.

So this is random, but just out of curiosity, what did BGT do with the area Python was on? I was only at the park once and that was in 2003, so I never noticed anything in regards to that.

It was replaced with the Jungala area, which has a few animal enclosures and kids play area and rides. I think it was changed around 9 years ago now, I remember the area being fairly new when we visited on Honeymoon in 2008.